Galchenyuk, Yakupov good to go for playoffs

The Sarnia Sting have announced Nail Yakupov and Alex Galchenyuk will both return to the lineup Friday night when the team hosts the Saginaw Spirit in the first round of the OHL playoffs.

The pair of 2012 draft eligibles have yet to suit up in the same game this season as a result of injuries to both.

Galchenyuk made his regular season debut on March 14th after missing over six months with a knee injury that forced the six-foot-one, 185-pound centre to undergo surgery. He returned for two games on March 14th, but left March 16th’s game against the London Knights with an upper-body injury.

Yakupov has been sidelined with an upper-body injury after taking a hit from Owen Sound Attack captain Mike Halmo on March 10th. Halmo was suspended 10 games for the hit.

Both are expected to be high picks in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Yakupov is projected to be the first overall pick while Galchenyuk is currently ranked third.